Capturing Orbs: A Guide To Seeing Them Through Your Camera Lens

Have you ever noticed mysterious orbs on your security camera footage? These orbs are usually spherical or circular balls of light that are round, blurry, fuzzy, and often yellowish. While they might seem supernatural, they are a common occurrence caused by various factors such as dust particles, pollen, moisture droplets, or even insects, that are very close to the camera lens. This phenomenon, known as backscatter or near-camera reflection, occurs when these particles reflect light directly into the lens, creating bright, orb-like images. Understanding the causes and learning how to address them can help enhance the quality and clarity of your video feed, ensuring effective surveillance.

Clean your lens

To capture orbs with your camera, it is important to ensure your lens is clean. A dirty lens can cause backscatter, which is when dust, water droplets, or other particles on or near the lens cause light to reflect through unfocused images, creating ghost-like "orbs". These orbs are not supernatural but are instead a result of near-camera reflection.

To clean your lens, start by gently blowing away any visible dust or particles with a soft, clean brush or a gentle puff of air. Be careful not to scratch the lens or press too hard, as this can damage the delicate glass or plastic surface. If there are more stubborn particles or water droplets, use a lens-cleaning solution designed specifically for camera lenses. Apply a small amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth, being careful not to apply it directly to the lens to avoid accidental dripping. Gently wipe the lens in a circular motion, working from the centre outwards.

For more persistent smudges or dirt, you may need to use a lens-cleaning pen or a cotton swab moistened with the lens-cleaning solution. Again, be gentle and avoid applying too much pressure. It is important to use products specifically designed for lens cleaning, as other cleaning solutions or tissues may damage the lens coating or leave streaks. Ensure you clean the lens regularly, especially if you are in a dusty environment or notice an increase in the appearance of orbs in your photos or recordings.

In addition to cleaning, you can also reduce the occurrence of orbs by adjusting your camera's position. If your camera is facing a window or a bright light, this can increase the likelihood of backscatter. Try moving your camera away from windows and bright lights, and if using a camera with a status light, be aware that this can also contribute to reduced image quality and increase the appearance of orbs. By following these steps and maintaining a clean lens, you can minimise the occurrence of orbs in your camera recordings.

Check environmental conditions

When attempting to capture orbs with your camera, it is important to be mindful of the environmental conditions that can contribute to their appearance. Here are some detailed instructions to help you effectively manage the environmental factors and increase your chances of seeing orbs:

Be mindful of the weather: Fog, rain, and high pollen conditions can introduce particles into the air that can reflect light and appear as orbs. If fog or rain is present, you may want to wait for clearer conditions to reduce potential interference.

Inspect for moisture: Water droplets on or near the camera lens can cause orbs to appear. Ensure that your camera lens is dry and free of any moisture. If necessary, use a soft, absorbent cloth to gently wipe the lens.

Check for airborne particles: Dust, pollen, and other small particles in the air can reflect light and create orbs. Try to minimise these particles by avoiding dusty areas or using a protective camera cover. Regularly clean your lens to prevent dust buildup.

Monitor light sources: Bright lights, such as streetlights or headlights, can cause lens flare or reflections that appear as orbs. Position your camera away from direct light sources and adjust the angle to reduce the impact of light reflections.

Be aware of insects: Insects flying or crawling across the camera lens can trigger near-camera reflections. Consider placing the camera in an insect-free area or using insect repellents to minimise their presence.

By carefully considering these environmental factors and making the necessary adjustments, you can optimise your camera setup to increase the likelihood of capturing orbs. Remember, managing these conditions will help improve the clarity of your footage and reduce potential interferences.

Adjust camera placement

If you're experiencing issues with orbs on your security camera footage, one of the most effective solutions is to adjust the placement of your camera. Here are some detailed instructions to help you eliminate those unwanted orbs:

• Reposition your camera to avoid direct light sources: The first step is to identify any bright lights that may be causing lens flares or glare, such as streetlights, car headlights, or even porch lights. Adjust the angle of your camera so that it is not pointed directly at these light sources. Even a slight adjustment can significantly reduce or eliminate orbs.
• Place the camera in a sheltered location: Ensure your camera is positioned away from direct exposure to bright lights. Consider moving it to a spot that is less exposed to external light sources, reducing the chances of lens flares and orbs.
• Angle the camera slightly downward or sideways: Instead of pointing the camera directly at bright lights, try tilting it slightly downward or sideways. This simple trick can help capture less of the sky and reduce the appearance of orbs in your footage.
• Move the camera away from reflective surfaces: Infrared light from your camera can bounce off reflective surfaces, such as walls or windows, causing orbs. Create more distance between your camera and these surfaces to minimise the infrared light bouncing back and creating orbs.
• Use shields or covers: If adjusting the camera angle is not feasible, consider using shields or covers to block direct light from reaching the lens. This can be especially useful if you're dealing with strong light sources that are causing orbs in your footage.
• Avoid placing the camera near windows or mirrors: Reflective surfaces like windows or mirrors can also contribute to the orb issue. By avoiding these surfaces and choosing a different location for your camera, you can reduce the chances of orbs appearing in your footage.

By following these adjustments, you can significantly minimise the occurrence of orbs in your security camera footage, leading to clearer and more effective surveillance.

Reduce infrared reflections

To reduce infrared reflections, you can try repositioning your camera or changing the range and angle of the IR illuminator. If your camera setup allows for it, try adjusting the IR illuminator so that it shines away from surfaces that could reflect infrared light back into the lens. This will reduce the likelihood of orbs appearing in your footage.

Alternatively, you could introduce additional infrared light sources, such as external IR illuminators, placed away from the camera. This will increase the amount of infrared light available to illuminate the scene and reduce the relative impact of reflections.

If your camera is picking up orbs due to infrared light reflecting off nearby surfaces, you can also try to minimise the number of reflective surfaces in the camera's field of view. For example, you could move reflective objects out of the camera's line of sight or adjust the camera's position to avoid capturing reflective surfaces.

In some cases, the camera's infrared light might be reflecting off the ground or walls near the camera, causing orbs to appear in the footage. If this is the case, you can try repositioning the camera to a different location or angle where there are fewer reflective surfaces nearby.

It's important to note that while these steps can help reduce infrared reflections, they may not completely eliminate the appearance of orbs. The effectiveness of these methods will depend on the specific environment and camera setup.

Use high-quality filters

Using high-quality filters is an effective way to reduce orbs in your camera footage. These filters are designed to minimise glare and reflections, which can cause orbs by reflecting light directly into the lens.

High-quality filters such as polarising or UV filters can help to reduce the likelihood of orbs appearing in your footage. These filters are especially useful if the orbs are caused by harsh lighting conditions. By reducing glare and reflections, high-quality filters ensure that light is less likely to scatter and create circles of light on your recorded footage.

To implement this method, you can consider purchasing a camera that comes equipped with these filters. Alternatively, you can install the filters yourself if your camera allows for it.

In addition to using high-quality filters, you can also try adjusting the camera's placement to avoid direct light sources, such as streetlights or headlights. This simple adjustment can significantly reduce the appearance of orbs in your footage.

It is important to note that while high-quality filters can help minimise orbs, they may not completely eliminate them. For persistent orbs, you may need to consult a professional or consider upgrading to a higher-quality camera with better resolution and more advanced sensor technology.

Frequently asked questions